Humanities Homework Help

1. Review the Feminist Movie Ananlysis Rubric [PDF].

2. Select a film. Almost any film will work. It could be anything from a Disney film (Maleficent, Moana) to a comedy, drama, or action movie (Bridesmaids, The Color Purple, Salt, Mad Max). It doesn’t have to be recent, nor does it need to be pro-feminist. The point is that you analyze the film from a feminist perspective. My one recommendation is that you select a film that has at least one main character that is a woman so that you have more material to work with. Also, please do not choose Legally Blonde. It is commonly reviewed because it appears in “straw feminist” video, but selfishly, I appreciate more variety in the grading process.

3. Watch the film and take notes. For guidance, review the Feminist Movie Analysis Checklist [PDF].

4. Based upon your notes and your understanding of the concepts we have covered in the course, write a feminist analysis of the film (350-500 words).

• The analysis should include the title and a brief description of the movie. Extensive plot summary is unnecessary and will negatively affect your grade.
• The majority of the essay should be a discussion of the way the movie represents women and feminist concerns. I would suggest working your way through the Checklist and discussing (explaining, exemplifying) the answers that seem most important to the movie as a whole and your experience watching it through the feminist “lens.” You do not have to go through and talk about everything on the list. Maybe pick three to five points to talk about in detail.
• Finally — don’t feel compelled to give a glowing or scathing review of the film. Most movies are a mixture of positive and negative things, and it is appropriate that your analysis reflects that.